Table tennis table



' HII 1 IN van-r02 JAMES C. HIRSCH 3,091,196 TABLE TENNIS TABLE James C. Hirsch, Highland Park, Ill., assignor to Klauher Games, Inc., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Jan. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 165,897- 8 Claims. (Cl. 108-112) The present invention relates to table tennis tables, and more particularly to an improvement in the table tennis table disclosed in my U.S. Patent No. 2,911,217, granted November 3, 1959. The table tennis table disclosed in this patent comprises two table halves which are swingable into an upright position where the table halves form a compact stable pyramid structure supported upon rollers, enabling the table assembly to be readily moved about to facilitate storage thereof when not in use. The structure for enabling the table halves to be folded into a pyramid structure comprises roller-carrying members connected between the tops of the table halves and supporting the same for relatively pivotal movement about relatively widely spaced horizontal lateral axis.

The roller-carrying members disclosed in this patent are relatively short members which, in the set up or unfolded condition of the table assembly, are spaced substantially above the floor, the inner ends of the table halves being supported by separate foldable legs at the inner ends of the tables. In folding the table assembly into a pyramid structure, the latter legs are folded to permit the inner ends of the tables to drop to a point near the floor level where the rollers of the roller-carrying members engage the floor. Then the table halves are pivoted upon the roller-carrying members into an upright pyramid structure where the structure is securely maintained by connecting the upper ends of the tables together.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement in the type of table tennis table assembly disclosed in the above-mentioned patent, which improvement permits the table assembly to be folded into a pyramid structure with much greater case than is possible with the table structure disclosed in this patent. A further object of the invention is to provide a table tennis table as just described wherein either table half can be stably supported in an upright position where it can be used as a ball return wall permitting one person to practice by himself. A related object of the invention is to provide a table tennis table assembly as just described which does not require the aforesaid foldable legs at the inner ends of the table halves. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a table tennis table assembly as just described which is extremely sturdy and comprises simple, inexpensive parts which can be shipped in a compact knockdown condition and which can easily be assembled into an integral foldable assembly.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the foldable legs on the inner ends of the table halves described in my patent are replaced by a leg structure extending on the outside of the table halves and interconnecting and supporting the inner ends of the table halves in a normal horizontal playing position. In its preferred form, the leg structure includes a pair of inverted U-shaped leg-forming pieces on opposite sides of the table halves and each having longitudinally spaced vertical leg-forming portions extending substantially for the full height of the table, and having rollers on the bottom thereof and an upper bridging portion extending preferably along and between the sides of the table halves at the inner ends thereof. A pair of longitudinally spaced pivot bolts or the like pivotally interconnect the bridging portions of the leg-forming pieces and the table halves at points inwardly of the leg-forming portions of the legenemas Patented May 28, 1963 forming pieces to permit the latter to be pivoted about longitudinally spaced points into a pyramid structure. Cross members preferably interconnect the corresponding leg-forming portions of the leg-forming pieces and are 5 positioned to engage the table halves when they are pivoted into a pyramid structure. A single person can easily pivot either table half into a stable upright position by grasping the outer end thereof and lifting it up to pivot the same upon the associated pivot bolts. The table half is pivoted into a position somewhat beyond the vertical where the then bottom portion of the table half engages one of the cross members which prevents the table half from moving beyond this point. The weight of the table half maintains itself against the latter cross member. When both table halves are pivoted into an upright position, they form a stable pyramid structure. A tie-rod or the like is secured between the table halves to prevent the accidental reverse swinging of the table halves away from the cross members to a point beyond the vertical where they can fall under their own weight.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent upon making reference to the specification to follow, the claims and the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the table tennis table assembly of the present invention in a set up condition where it forms a normal, full-sized table tennis table;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view, partly broken away, of the table assembly shown in FIG. 1, and illustrates the manner in which the inner ends of the table halves are interconnected;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded view of one of the legforming members and the adjacent portions of the table halves to which it is connected;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing one of the table halves folded up to form a ball return wall;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view through the table assembly where both table halves are in an upstanding position and are interconnected by a tie-rod; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view through FIG. 5, taken substantially along the line 55 therein.

Referring now to the drawings, the table tennis table assembly comprises a pair of identical table halves 2-2 each comprising a rectangular table top 4 having the dimensions of one-half of a conventional table tennis table top, and including the usual longitudinal center line 6 suitably marked on the top thereof. Each table top is made of a sheet of plywood, composition board 4a or the like having rim members 4b depending from the margins thereof. Each of the table halves further includes a pair of legs 8-8 at the outer corners thereof which are folda-ble along the adjacent sides of the table top, in the manner commonly found in card tables and the like.

In accordance with the present invention, the table tennis table assembly additionally includes a pair of legforming pieces Ill-46 positioned on opposite sides of the inner ends of the table halves. These leg-forming pieces perform a multitude of functions, among them being the securing together and supporting of the table halves 2--2 in a horizontal playing position shown in FIG. 1 and the formation of a pivot support for the two table halves enabling them to be easily swung by a single person into a stable folded pyramid structure shown in FIG. 5. Also, in a manner to be described the leg-forming pieces have a pair of cross members 1111 extending transversely therebetween permitting either table half to be moved into a self-supporting upstanding position shown in FIG. 4, where the table half acts as a ball return wall permitting one player to practice by himself. The cross members also maintain both table halves in their pyramid 3 forming position and form a rigid integral roller frame structure.

As illustrated, each of the leg-forming pieces -10 comprises a short, generally inverted U-shaped member which is preferably a bent metal tube having depending leg-forming portions Illa-10a and a bridging portion 10b fixing the spacing between the leg-forming portions so that the latter can fit through an average sized doorway when oriented across the doorway. Rollers 14-14 are attached to the bottoms of the leg-forming portions Illa-10a, the rollers preferably being of the universal type where the rollers are freely pivotable about a vertical axis in the usual and well known way for universal rollers. Each of the bridging portions 10b of each of the leg-forming pieces 10 is secured to and supports the contiguous upper side portions of the table tops 4-4 in a horizontal plane when the table halves are positioned in juxtaposed set up relation by means including pivot bolts 20-20 passing through longitudinally spaced holes 21-2 1 in the bridging portion 10b and corresponding oversized holes 21-21' in the rim members 4b-4b of the table tops. Wing nuts 22-22 thread over the inner ends of the bolts to tie the leg-forming pieces 10-10 and the table tops together. For reasons to be explained, the holes 21 and 21 are located inwardly of the leg-forming portions 10a-10a of the leg-forming pieces 10-10.

When the table is set up as shown in FIG. 1, the inner ends of the table tops 4-4 are in contact, and the wing nuts 22-22 are tightened securely to fix the table halves in their juxtaposed normal playing positions. The axes of the pivot bolts 20-20 attached to each table top are in lateral alignment and are widely spaced apart. When the nuts 22 are loosened, the oversized holes 21'-21' permit the table tops to be pulled apart a small distance to permit one table top to be pivoted about its aligned pivot bolts.

A not 23 is connected in any suitable way to the bridging portions 10b-10b of the leg-forming pieces 10-10, as by frame posts 24-24 fitting into slots 24'-24? in the bridging portions 10b-10b.

The aforesaid cross members 11-11 extend between and are clamped or otherwise secured between the upper sections of the corresponding leg-forming portions of the pieces 10-10, to form a rigid roller support structure. As illustrated in the drawings, the ends of each of the cross members curve around the leg-forming portions 10a-10a and are clamped thereto by clamp plates 13-13 and bolt and nut assemblies -15.

When the wing nuts 22-22 are loosened and one of the table tops is pivoted upwardly about the axes of their respective pivot bolts -20 to a point where it passes beyond the vertical, the weight of thejtable top will bias the then lower. end of the table top against the adjacent cross member '11 positioned outwardly of the latter pivot bolt so that the table top remains. in an upwardly and inwardly inclined position. The outer legs 8-8 may be folded before or after the table top is raised. The folding of a single table top as just described forms a selfpracticing table. The other table top may be raised into a similar self-supported upwardly and inwardly extending position to complete a pyramidal table top structure which provides appreciable stability. The upper endsof the table tops may be securely locked together into the pyramidal shape by any suitable means, such as by a wire rod 25 having inturned ends 26-26 press fitted into holes 27-27 in the side rim members 4b-4b of the table tops. In the folded condition of the table assembly it can be wheeled through a doorway by orienting the same so that the leg-forming piece 10-10 extend across the doorway. To set up the table tennis table assembly, the setup process just described is reversed.

In using the table assembly as a self-practicing table with only one table top in an upstanding position as shown in FIG, 4, the ball is hit so as to strike the upturned table top on the fly, the ball then bouncing back upon the other horizontal table top to simulate the return of the ball by the opposing player.

It is apparent from the description of the invention given above, that the table assembly of the present inven tion is an exceedingly simple, stable, and compact arrangement considering all of the advantages thereof and uses to which the assembly can be put. Also, the assembly is so constructed that it can be packaged and shipped in an un-assembled or knocked-down condition, greatly facilitating the shipping and handling thereof enroute to the ultimate consumer. Moreover, due to the manner in which the table halves are assembled, women and older children can readily set the table up into a playing condition shown in FIG. 1 or fold it up into a storage condition. Because of the extreme simplicity of the rollercarrying leg-forming pieces 10-10, it is apparent that the manufacturing cost of the table assembly having the advantages of the present invention is not very much greater than the manufacturing cost of an ordinary nonportable table tennis table assembly.

It should be understood that numerous modifications may be made of the preferred embodiment of the invention above described without deviating from the broader aspects of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A table tennis table assembly comprising: a pair of table halves having table tops which form a table tennis table when positioned in horizontal juxtaposed relation, and leg support structure for supporting said table halves in said horizontal juxtaposed relation and also in a storage position where the table halves extend upwardly and inwardly to form a pyramid structure, said leg structure comprising leg-forming portions on each side of the table halves, said leg-forming portions resting on the lloor in the normal playing position of the table and supporting at least the inner ends of said table halves in a horizontal playing position, means for supporting each of said table halves for pivotal movement upon said leg structure, about horizontal transversely aligned pivot axes positioned substantially outwardly of the inner ends of the table halves, involved when in a horizontal playing position and at substantially fixed elevations near the upper extremities of said leg-forming portions of the leg sn ucture, and stop means located outwardly of the pivot axes of each table half for engaging the bottom end portions of the. associated table half when the outer end thereof is pivoted upwardly and inwardly beyond the vertical, to, hold the table half in an upwardly and, inwardly inclined position independentlyof the other table half.

2. A table tennisvtable assembly comprising: a pair of table halves having table tops which form a table tennis table when positioned in. horizontal juxtaposed relation, and leg support structure for supporting said table halves in said horizontal juxtaposed relation and also in a storage. position where the table halves extend upwardly and in-. wardly to form a pyramidal structure, said leg structure comprising a pair of longitudinally-spaced leg-forming portions on each side of the table. halves and located outwardly of the inner ends of the table halves when they are in said juxtaposed relation, said leg-forming portions resting on the floor in the normal playing position of the table assembly and supporting at least the inner ends of said table halves in a horizontal playing position, bridging portions interconnecting the leg-forming portions on each side of the table assembly to fix the longitudinal spacing thereof, and means for supporting each of saidtable halves for pivotal movement upon said leg structure about horizontal transversely aligned pivot axes positioned substantially outwardly of the inner ends of the table halves involved when in a horizontal playing position andat substantial-ly fixed elevations near the upper extremities of said leg-forming portions of the leg structure, and stop means engaging the outwardly facing sides of the bottom portions of the table halves when the outer ends thereof are pivoted upwardly and inwardly beyond the vertical, to hold the table halves individually in upwardly and inwardly inclined positions where they form a pyramid structure.

3. A table tennis table assembly comprising: a pair oi: table halves having table tops which form a table tennis table when positioned in horizontal juxtaposed relation, and leg support structure for supporting said table halves in said horizontal juxtaposed relation and also in a storage position where the tables halves extend upwardly and inwardly to form a pyramidal structure, said leg structure comprising a pair of longitudinally-spaced leg-forming portions on each side of the table halves and located outwardly of the inner ends of the table halves when they are in said juxtaposed relation, said leg-forming portions resting on the fioor in the normal playing position of the table assembly and supporting at least the inner ends of said table halves in a horizontal playing position, bridging portions interconnecting the leg-forming portions on each side of the table assembly to fix the longitudinal spacing thereof, and means for supporting each of said table halves for pivotal movement upon said leg structure about horizontal transversely aligned pivot axes positioned substantially outwardly of the inner ends of the table halves involved when in a horizontal playing position and at substantially fixed elevations near the upper extremities of said leg-forming portions of the leg structure, and means comprising cross members located outwardly of said pivot axes and extending between the corresponding leg-forming portions of the leg structure opposite each table half for engaging the bottom portions of the table halves when the outer ends thereof are pivoted upwardly and inwardly beyond the vertical to hold the table halves in upwardly and inwardly inclined positions where they form a pyramid structure.

4. A table tennis table assembly comprising: a pair of table of table halves having table tops which form a table tennis table when positioned in horizontal juxtaposed relation, and leg support structure for supporting said table halves in said horizontal juxtaposed relation and also in a storage position where the table halves extending upwardly and inwardly to form a pyramidal structure, said leg structure comprising a pair of inverted U-shaped members on opposite sides of said table halves and each including a pair of depending leg-forming portions for engaging the floor and supporting said table tops in said horizontal juxtaposed relation, and a horizontal bridging portion extending between and along the sides of the table tops when in said horizontal juxtaposed relation, means pivotally supporting each of said table tops upon said bridging portions of the inverted U-shaped members for movement about horizontal transversely aligned axes, and stop means extending between the corresponding leg-forming portions of said inverted U-shaped members and located outwardly of said pivot axes for engaging the bottom ends of the associated table tops when the outer ends of the table tops are pivoted upwardly and inwardly beyond the vertical.

5. A table tennis table assembly comprising: a pair of table halves having table tops which form a table tennis table when positioned in horizontal juxtaposed relation, and leg support structure for supporting said table halves in said horizontal juxtaposed relation and also in a storage position where the table halves extending upwardly and inwardly to form a pyramidal structure, said leg structure comprising a pair of inverted U-shaped members on opposite sides of said table halves and each including a pair of depending leg-forming portions for engaging the floor and supporting said table tops in said horizontal juxtaposed relation, and a horizontal bridging portion extending between and along the sides of the table tops when in said horizontal juxtaposed relation, means pivotally supporting each of said table tops upon said bridging portions of the inverted U-shaped members for movement about horizontal transversely aligned axes, stop means extending between the corresponding leg-forming portions of said inverted U-shaped members and located outwardly of said pivot axes for engaging the bottom ends of the associated table tops when the outer ends of the table tops are pivoted upwardly and inwardly beyond the vertical, and means for supporting the outer ends of the table tops in a horizontal position comprising foldable legs in the outer corners of the table tops.

6. A table tennis table assembly comprising: a pair of table halves having table tops which form a table tennis table when positioned in horizontal juxtaposed relation, and leg support structure for supporting said table halves in said horizontal juxtaposed relation and also in a storage position where the table halves extend upwardly and inwardly to form a pyramid structure, said leg structure comprising leg-forming port-ions on each side of the table halves, means for supporting each of said table halves for pivotal movement upon said leg support structure about horizontal transversely aligned pivot axes positioned outwardly of the inner ends of the table halves involved when in a horizontal playing position, and stop means located outwardly of the pivot axes of each table half for engaging the bottom end portions of the associated table half when the outer end thereof is pivoted upwardly and inwardly beyond the vertical, to hold the table half in an upwardly and inwardly inclined position independently of the other table half.

7. A table tennis table assembly comprising: a pair of table halves having table tops which form a table tennis table when positioned in horizontal juxtaposed relation, and leg support structure for supporting said table halves in said horizontal juxtaposed relation and also in a storage position where the table halves extend upwardly and inwardly to form a pyramidal structure, said leg structure comprising a pair of longitudinally-spaced leg-forming portions on each side of the table halves and located outwardly of the inner ends of the table halves when they are in said juxtaposed relation, said leg-forming portions supporting at least the inner ends of said table halves in a horizontal playing position, bridging portions interconnecting the leg-forming portions on each side of the table assembly to fix the longitudinal spacing thereof, and means for supporting each of said table halves for pivotal movement upon said leg structure about horizontal transversely aligned pivot axis positioned substantially outwardly of the inner ends of the table halves involved when in a horizontal playing position and near the upper extremities of said leg forming portions of the leg structure, and stop means engaging the outwardly facing sides of the bottom portions of the table halves when the outer ends thereof are pivoted upwardly and inwardly beyond the vertical, to hold the table halves individually in upwardly and inwardly inclined positions where they form a pyramid structure.

8. The table tennis table assembly of claim 6 wherein the stop means for each table hal-f comprise means projecting laterally inwardly from each leg-forming portion which means engages the outwardly facing side of said bottom end portion of the associated table half.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,545,064 Alch Mar. 13, 1951 2,792,270 Anderson May 14, 1957 2,901,304 Fihe Aug. 25, 1959 2,911,217 Hirsch et a1 Nov. 3, 1959 2,978,754 Wilson Apr. 11, 1961 

1. A TABLE TENNIS TABLE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: A PAIR OF TABLE HALVES HAVING TABLE TOPS WHICH FORM A TABLE TENNIS TABLE WHEN POSITIONED IN HORIZONTAL JUXTAPOSED RELATION, AND LEG SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORTING SAID TABLE HALVES IN SAID HORIZONTAL JUXTAPOSED RELATION ALSO A STORAGE POSITION WHERE THE TABLE HALVES EXTEND UPWARDLY AND INWARDLY TO FORM A PYRAMID STRUCTURE, SAID LEG STRUCTURE COMPRISING LEG-FORMING PORTIONS ON EACH SIDE OF THE TABLE HALVES, SAID LEG-FORMING PORTIONS RESTING ON THE FLOOR IN THE NORMAL PLAYING POSITION OF THE TABLE AND SUPPORTING AT LEAST THE INNER ENDS OF SAID TABLE HALVES IN A HORIZONTAL PLAYING POSITION, MEANS FOR SUPPORTIANG EACH OF SAID TABLE HALVES FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT UPON SAID LEG STRUCTURE ABOUT HORIZONTAL TRANSVERSELY ALIGNED PIVOT AXES POSITIONED SUBSTANTIALLY OUTWARDLY OF THE INNER ENDS OF THE TABLE HALVES INVOLVED WHEN IN A HORIZONTAL PLAYING POSITION AND AT SUBSTANTIALLY FIXED ELEVATIONS NEAR THE UPPER EXTREMITIES OF SAID LEG-FORMING PORTIONS OF THE LEG STRUCTURE, AND STOP MEANS LOCATED OUTWARDLY OF THE PIVOT AXES OF EACH TABLE HALF FOR ENGAGING THE BOTTOM END PORTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATED TABLE HALF WHEN THE OUTER END THEREOF IS PIVOTED UPWARDLY AND INWARDLY BEYOND THE VERTICAL, TO HOLD THE TABLE HALF IN AN UPWARDLY AND INWARDLY INCLINED POSITION INDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHER TABLE HALF. 